Delta Launches One-Stop Security Program at Atlanta Hub
Delta Air Lines is pioneering its Delta one-stop security protocol at Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport (ATL), launching July 30. This streamlined approach is set to revolutionize the connection experience for international travelers by consolidating U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) preclearance, eliminating the need to reclaim and recheck baggage, and bypassing secondary TSA screenings. With Delta one-stop security in place, eligible passengers arriving from London can head straight to their departure gates, shaving valuable time off tight layovers and reducing the typical stress of international transfers.
How the Delta One-Stop Security Process Works
Currently, international connections in Atlanta require travelers to:
Clear U.S. passport control
Wait at the baggage carousel
Recheck bags for their onward flight
Return through TSA security
Under the one-stop system, eligible passengers will:
Be pre-cleared by U.S. Customs and Border Protection upon disembarkation
Skip the baggage claim and recheck steps
Head straight to their domestic departure gate
Eligibility and Enrollment
To use one-stop security at ATL, travelers must satisfy one of the following:
Hold Global Entry membership
Use the CBP Mobile Passport Control app (free download)
These options ensure CBP can vet passengers before they land, eliminating redundant in-airport processes.
Pilot Program Scope and Future Expansion
This streamlined security pilot launches at two U.S. hubs:
Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport (ATL) for Delta flights from London
Dallas/Fort Worth International Airport (DFW) for American Airlines flights from London
Delta and American plan to extend one-stop protocols to more U.S. gateways and partner carriers, pending successful rollout and interagency coordination.
Broader Implications for Air Travel
The Transportation Security Administration (TSA) and U.S. Department of Homeland Security are exploring similar agreements with other countries that maintain security standards on par with the U.S. Expect one-stop procedures to expand to additional foreign departure points in the coming months.
Key Takeaways
Travelers flying from London into ATL can save a significant amount of time by bypassing baggage rechecks and extra security lines.
Global Entry or CBP’s Mobile Passport app is required to qualify for the program.
The pilot is limited to ATL and DFW for London origin flights but will likely grow to include more cities and airlines.
Stay tuned for updates as Delta and TSA refine one-stop security agreements, modernizing the airport experience and cutting connection times across major U.S. hubs.
